Epilepsy

(ep'e-lep-se.) [Gr. epilepsia, a laying hold of.] (Med.) A disease which deprives the patient of sensation and volition, accompanied by an involuntary contraction of the muscles. It is popularly called the falling sickne , because those who are attacked by it fall suddenly to the ground. When it arises from hereditary predisposition, or comes on after the age of puberty, or when the attacks are frequent and of long duration, it is usually difficult to effect a cure; but occurring in early life, and occasioned by worms or any other accidental cause, it may, in general,be remedied with ease. [s. 335]